6-10 years

I have been recognized by the Nashville Post list of In-Charge: Government & Politics for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Our firm was recognized nationally by the Public Relations Society of America for our comprehensive public affairs campaign to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville

Mark Cate is the Founder and President of Stones River Group, a Nashville-based public affairs firm serving both Tennessee, regional and national clients. He formerly served as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's chief of staff, where he was his top advisor, strategist and negotiator.

During his tenure with the Haslam Administration, Mark led several legislative policy initiatives, including K-12 education reform, workers' compensation reform, civil service reform, an alternative approach to Medicaid expansion, and postsecondary education reform, including the nationally-acclaimed Tennessee Promise program.

Prior to serving in state government, Mark successfully managed Governor Haslam's first gubernatorial campaign in 2010, which led to a record-setting general election victory. He previously worked as an executive in real estate management and development and served for 16 years as a higher education leader. Over the course of his career, Mark has served as a chief development officer, chief planning officer, chief marketing officer, and as a chief financial officer - working on budgets ranging from $10 million to $30 billion.

Mark grew up in Maryville, TN and currently lives in Brentwood with his wife Cathy who serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tennessee. He and Cathy have two daughters, Bailey who is a recent graduate at Rhodes College and currently serves as a fellow at the Crop Trust in Bonn, Germany; and Abbie who is rising junior at George Washington University.

Cate received a B.S from Carson-Newman College, an M.S from the University of Tennessee, and Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management certificate program. He's served on a wide variety of non-profit boards and was an elected member of the Maryville Board of Education.

Russell Hightower is a senior government affairs and public policy strategist with more than 20 years of experience advising clients on their legislative, regulatory, and political needs across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. He is a member of the firm's lobbying and government relations consulting practice and brings deep experience in complex permitting, regulatory strategy, and public-sector engagement. Clients view him as a trusted advisor on transactions, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategic planning.

Russell has long-standing relationships with elected officials, agency leadership, and senior staff and works directly with the legislative and executive branches at the state and local levels. His experience includes navigating state environmental permitting agencies and local governments on large-scale infrastructure projects requiring multi-jurisdictional approvals, including successfully permitting major facility expansions as well as leading community, zoning, and government engagement strategies supporting complex development initiatives.

Prior to joining Parker Poe Consulting, Russell led government relations for Waste Management (WM) across Georgia and the Carolinas, directing legislative and regulatory strategy, managing lobbying teams, and advising senior leadership on political risk and public-sector strategy. He also served as the local lead for mergers and acquisitions. Prior to WM, he advocated before South Carolina legislators and executive agencies on behalf of business and professional interests through the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and South Carolina REALTORS.

Russell holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Clemson University. He was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the global honor society for public affairs and administration, and was recognized by Waste360 as a "40 Under 40" honoree. He has held leadership roles with the South Carolina Solid Waste Advisory Council (gubernatorial appointee), the Solid Waste Association of North America, and the National Waste & Recycling Association.

Juris Doctorate and Master's in Business Administration from the University of Memphis.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Department of Children's Services, Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference

Zoe Sams is a Principal at Stones River Group, where she serves as a trusted advisor on government relations, public policy strategy, and legislative advocacy. Zoe brings more than a decade of experience working across Tennessee state government, with deep expertise in legislative strategy, policy development, and coalition building. In her role at SRG, she helps clients understand and influence the public policy process, navigate complex political and regulatory landscapes, and advance strategic objectives before the General Assembly and state agencies.

Before joining Stones River Group, Zoe built a distinguished career in public service and government affairs:
* Deputy Director, Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, where she led legislative agenda development, managed agency budgeting, and coordinated with coalition partners to secure legislative outcomes.
* Director of Legislation, Tennessee Department of Children's Services, advancing policy priorities and legislative engagement for a major state agency.
* Assistant General Counsel and Legislative Liaison, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, serving as the primary legislative contact and policy strategist for the agency
* Assistant District Attorney, where she prosecuted human trafficking cases and crimes against children and other vulnerable victims, grounding her advocacy in both legal acuity and deep personal commitment to public service.

She is known for her strong professional relationships with state officials and stakeholders across Tennessee and for translating complex policy and political dynamics into practical strategies that drive client success. Outside her professional work, Zoe serves on the board of Tennessee Voices for Victims, reflecting her ongoing commitment to public safety and community impact.

0-5 years

Chris Gobble is a respected government affairs specialist with deep issue expertise and a broad base of policymaker and stakeholder relationships. He leverages his insights into the state General Assembly, Tennessee executive branch, and local governments to help SRG clients navigate complex political challenges and effectively advance meaningful policy solutions.

Prior to joining SRG, Chris served as senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, where he helped drive policy changes and facilitate government affairs efforts for 2,000 businesses representing over 180,000 employees. He also regularly and effectively collaborated with local, state, and federal elected officials to advance Chattanooga's status as a leader in education, workforce, and economic development.

Prior to Gobble's tenure in Chattanooga, he was the legislative and policy director for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. In this role, Gobble worked closely with Governor Bill Haslam's office and the state legislature to develop and implement a variety of public policy initiatives.

Originally from Bradley County, Chris earned a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Lipscomb University. He and his wife Sarah live in Nashville.